By Andy Brown, business adviser:
We see a variety of start up businesses here at the BIC and I had the pleasure of working with Keith Lynn as he set up K L Metal Art.
As with many businesses, this started out as a hobby for Keith and when I first met him I was fascinated by his designs and his passion to create bespoke gifts.
It can be daunting starting a business, but Keith embraced the challenge. I caught up with Keith to discuss how his business developed.
Describe your business?
I transform up-cycled metal into different types of unique art and gifts. All metal has been donated to me by various companies and people from the local area.
Where did your idea come from?
As you know it initially started as a hobby after I restored an old VW Beetle for my wife a few years ago. As I had my weld set and plasma cutter just sitting in my garage doing nothing I started experimenting with things I had lying around in the garage. I first started making a little robot dog, then a motorbike and it went from there.
What is your unique selling point?
The items I make are unique and the bonus of getting all of my materials for free too.
What help did you receive from the BIC?
I have received help from the BIC with setting up for self-assessment and how the whole thing works, I’ve also been given advice on marketing, and the possibility of getting business premises and a new website.
What are your company goals?
My long term goals are to be making large unique bespoke sculptures, maybe statues or even the next angel of the north who knows really. I want to be in the position to employ people and I would love one day to pass on my skills to an apprentice or two.
What are your responsibilities as the business owner?
My responsibilities are to make this a success and to make my family, friends and myself proud and to keep using only waste materials to show what can be made from other people’s scrap to promote recycling.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Go for it, I didn’t want to regret not trying. And the help anyone could need is available from the helpful staff at the BIC.
For more information about starting a business call 0191 516 6149
To see the products available from K L Metal Art visit http://www.klmetalart.co.uk/
The programme run by the BIC is being part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £1.47m ERDF investment. Working in a consortium led by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL) local Enterprise and Development Agencies in the North East have matched this ERDF investment with £1.47m of their own funds.